Imlek, Chinese New Year in Indonesia

Chinese New Year date in 2011 will be on February 3. Chinese New Year is is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations and usually it is proclaimed as a public holiday. Indonesia has only about 4% Chinese in its population, but Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday. Chinese New Year's celebrations in Indonesia, known locally as Imlek, incorporate customs, beliefs and practices brought to Indonesia by Chinese immigrants who still follow the practices handed down from their parents.

The series of activities to welcome the Chinese New Year celebration begins with a prayer cap year from morning to night. Events praying own New Year, begins before midnight until tomorrow morning.
Here are several pictures from a temple where some Indonesia chineses who live in Jakarta praying to the gods (Photos taken at Vihara on Jalan Petak Sembilan, Glodok Area, Jakarta). On Chinese New Year candles burn in the temples, as adherents believe that candlelight symbolizes a bright future.

All images contained are not allowed to use for any purposes without permission.

(All the images taken with Canon EOS 20D. For more stories about Chinese New Year in Indonesia, click this link)

Beauty of the Hajj

Hajj is the obligation of every Muslim who can afford. Hajj is a pillar of Islam and is the fifth pillar after the shahada, salat, zakat and fasting. Perform the pilgrimage is a form of an annual ritual performed Muslims worldwide who are able (material, physical, and scientific) to visit and carry out several activities in several places in Saudi Arabia at one time known as the hajj season (month of Dhu al-Hijjah). This is different to worship Umrah can be performed at any time.

Millions of Muslims from around the world come to the holy land of Mecca to perform hajj rituals mandatory. Millions of people from various colors and nationalities come from various countries, united in Islam to do the same activity to meet the pillars of Hajj. Malcolm X, an American human rights activist, describes the sociological atmosphere he experienced at Hajj as follows:
"There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blondes to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist...You may be shocked by these words coming from me. But on this pilgrimage, what I have seen, and experienced, has forced me to rearrange much of my thought patterns previously held."
Many people really want to go on a hajj as yet have cost to leave for hajj, but many also are still reluctant though they can afford. The various reasons put forward other than to feel not ready to go hajj but also there is the worry will be punished in the holy land of the bad deeds they have done. Indeed, hajj is a beautiful journey. Travel of hajj is a form of a summit of faith of a Muslim. A Muslim who would go on a hajj not only he has to bear substantial cost but also has to leave all matters of his world, including leaving his family. The beauty of hajj is surrendering everything to the AlMighty, the beauty of a journey that million of Muslim want to do it every year , the beauty of a journey that the person himself/herself can feel ... A journey to be closer to his Lord

Here are some pictures of a journey of hajj (taken during hajj season of 1429H/2008):





























All the images were taken with Canon EOS 20D with a standard lens

(The principal activity of the pilgrimage itself starts on the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah when Muslims spend the night in Mina, Standing (silent) in Padang Arafah on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, and ends after throwing jumrah on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah. )